Topic : Forrest Claypool

Dorval Carter Jr., who will become the first African-American CTA president, most recently served as Acting Chief of Staff to USDOT Secretary Anthony Foxx. He replaces Forrest Claypool, who is joining as chief of staff for Mayor Rahm Emanuel's second administration

Across the rail system, overall serious personal and property crimes decreased 24% in 2014. Robberies on the rail system decreased 26% in 2014 to 210 and have declined each year since 2011. Robberies on trains fell 23% and 28% at stations and platforms. Thefts decreased across the rail system, with the number of incidents down 31% on trains and down 12% on platforms and at stations.

The three-year agreement is the first-ever multi-year sponsorship of the Chicago Transit Authority’s First Day of School Free Rides program. Sun-Times Media is contributing more than $150,000 to the program, designed to promote first-day attendance for Chicago Public School elementary and high school students.

As part of the Chicago Transit Authority’s plans to move toward operating an upgraded bus fleet in the next two years, the agency plans to buy 425 buses and rebuild more than 1,000 older buses in a nearly half-billion-dollar modernization investment.

The Chicago Transit Authority’s overhaul of its system for managing parts and materials includes more stringent reviews of large or non-routine orders, steps to implement an electronic bar-coding system to better track items, and seeking qualified companies that can provide market expertise and industry best practices related to supply-chain functions.

Individuals participating in the apprentice program include sheltered women who've suffered domestic abuse, ex-offenders who've been convicted of non-violent crime, and individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, among others.

Also launching is the CTA Budget Ideas Board — an online feedback forum for the proposed 2012 budget — and the new CTA Updates, a subscription text/email service for customers to receive alerts on any unplanned events affecting service.

The initiative, performed by work crews comprised of different trade workers called the "Renew Crew," focuses on providing repairs in a more efficient way, creating a cleaner, brighter and more appealing station that improves the customer travel experience.